VA Announces Expansion of VetSuccess on Campus Pilots

– New Program Eases Veterans’ Transition to College Life –

WASHINGTON – Two community colleges and three other four-year colleges and universities are being added to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VetSuccess on Campus pilot program. VA counselors are being assigned to assist Veterans attending school under the Post-9/11 GI Bill make the most of their educational opportunities at Salt Lake City Community College, the Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, Arizona State University and Texas A&M University.

“A growing number of the eight million students in America’s community colleges are Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “VA will do all it can to make Veterans’ experiences in our community colleges and universities fulfilling and productive for them, their schools and the Nation.”

The pilot program is designed to ensure Veterans’ health, educational, and benefits needs are met as they make the transition from active-duty military service to college life.

The announcement comes as the White House holds the first-ever community college summit chaired by Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden and adjunct English professor at Northern Virginia Community College. The meeting of top school and federal education officials will focus on ways that community colleges can help meet education and workforce demands.

“I am thrilled to see the expansion of the VetSuccess program” said Dr. Biden.  “I know the transition from military to student life can be challenging and we owe it to those who have served our country to make their transitions as easy and successful as possible.”

Under the pilot program already underway at the University of South Florida, Cleveland State University, and San Diego State University, experienced VA vocational rehabilitation counselors and outreach coordinators from VA’s Vet Centers are assigned to campuses to provide vocational testing, career and academic counseling, and readjustment

counseling services to ensure Veterans receive the support and assistance needed to successfully pursue their educational and employment goals.

VA counselors work directly with school officials to establish effective communications channels with Veteran students and coordinate the delivery of VA benefits and services.

Peer-to-peer counseling and referral services are also available to help resolve any problems that could potentially interfere with a Veteran’s educational program, including referrals for more intensive health services through VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics, or Vet Centers, as needed.

For more information on VA benefit programs and VetSuccess, go to http://www.vba.va.gov or www.vetsuccess.gov or call 1-800-827-1000.